Flooding danger to continue throughout weekend

May 17, 2014

MARTINSBURG - Residents woke up Friday to swollen rivers and flooded roadways after an overnight storm dropped several inches of rain throughout the Eastern Panhandle.

With rain accumulation totals ranging between two and four inches, the Eastern Panhandle experienced flooding, wind damage and traffic delays.

"Several roadways have been blocked by water flowing across, thus causing the closing of the road at different locations throughout the county. Fire and rescue have checked several locations where normal heavy rains cover the roads and requested the (Division of Highways) place 'road closed' signs out to deter traffic from becoming trapped," said Steve Allen, director for the Berkeley County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

Article Photos

Journal photo by Ron Agnir

People survey the flooded Opequon Creek around the Van Metre Ford Stone Bridge that closed traffic to Golf Course Road on Friday afternoon near Martinsburg.

Journal photo by Jamie West

The North River is shown at Gaston Road in Hampshire County.

According to the National Weather Service in Sterling, Virginia, local rainfall amounts from the storm included 3.75 inches in Shepherdstown, 3.6 inches in Bolivar and 2.43 inches at Smith Crossroads in Morgan County.

The National Weather Service issued multiple flood warnings including for the Cacapon River, ending at 5:22 today; the Potomac River at Williamsport until 1:15 p.m. Friday; and the Potomac River at Paw Paw, lasting until 2 p.m. Friday.

Flood warnings were also issued for the Opequon Creek near Martinsburg until this evening; the Shenandoah River at Millville for major flooding, until Sunday evening; and the Potomac River at Harpers Ferry until further notice.

According to the National Weather Service, the Potomac River was measured at 7.7 feet Friday morning, with a flood stage of 18 feet. The NWS predicts the river will rise to about 23.4 feet by late this morning.

Additionally, the strong wind gusts during the storm caused trouble for commuters Friday morning, around 5 a.m., after a downed tree suspended MARC train service to Martinsburg for the day.